Additional Class Scheduled for April 2
A total of 14 people attended the car seat safety class on Tuesday, March 8. (Photo courtesy Easton Fire Department) 
Cassandia Poteau, an Injury Prevention Specialist with the Injury Prevention Program at Boston Children’s Hospital presented at the car seat safety class in Easton on Tuesday, March 8. (Photo courtesy Easton Fire Department) 
Each participating family received a free car seat, courtesy the Injury Prevention Program. (Photo courtesy Easton Fire Department) 
In addition to receiving a car seat, the car seats were installed for each family by certified child passenger safety technicians from the Easton Fire Department. (Photo courtesy Easton Fire Department)
EASTON — Fire Chief Justin Alexander, Director of Health and Community Services Kristin Kennedy and Public Health Officer/Firefighter Tim Vamosi are pleased to share that a car seat safety class was held for Easton residents as part of the Community Health and Paramedicine program, in partnership with the Injury Prevention Program at Boston Children’s Hospital.
A total of 14 people attended the class on Tuesday, March 8, including new parents, expecting parents and other caregivers. Attendees learned about car seat safety, selecting the proper car seat for their child and how to secure their child in the seat.
“Firefighters have seen first-hand the benefits that properly installed car seats can have during a crash in preventing injuries to young children,” Public Health Officer Vamosi said. “We are thankful for the ability to partner with the Injury Prevention Program to bring this resource to families in Easton.”
Each family was also given a car seat, free of cost thanks to the Injury Prevention Program, and the car seats were installed by certified child passenger safety technicians from the Easton Fire Department. Attendees were also given at-home COVID test kits.
Given high community interest, a second class will be hosted on Saturday, April 2 at 10:30 a.m. at Frothingham Hall, 15 Barrows St., Easton. The class will be able to seat 13 people and pre-registration is required. Register here.
“This is just one more example of the important work we are able to do as part of our Community Paramedicine Program,” Director Kennedy said. “By providing access to resources, such as appropriate car seats, educational opportunities and professional installation, we can hopefully have an impact on the outcome of traumatic incidents, like car crashes. We look forward to working with Boston Children’s Hospital Injury Prevention Program and others to bring more of these types of resources to the community.”
“Car seats are one of the most important safety tools that protect young children and knowing how to select and install a car seat is incredibly important, so we were thrilled to see so much community interest in this class,” Chief Alexander said. “We’d also like to remind Easton families that car seat installation and inspection services are regularly available free of charge at the fire department, and they can reach out at any time.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes are a leading cause of death among children ages 1-13. In 2018, 35% of children killed in car crashes were unrestrained. Furthermore, an estimated 46% of children’s car seats are used incorrectly.
In Massachusetts, any child under the age of 8 and less than 57 inches tall must be in a car seat or booster seat when in a moving vehicle.
To learn more about car seat safety, choosing the right seat and proper installation, click here.
About the Easton Community Health and Paramedicine program:
The Easton Community Health and Paramedicine program is a partnership between Easton’s Fire Department and Department of Health and Community Services. The program blends health care, public safety and public health. By investing in proactive and preventative care, the program seeks to provide support to residents that limits the need for emergency care whenever possible. Several events and initiatives are currently offered as part of the program. Learn more here or here.
About the Injury Prevention Program at Boston Children’s Hospital:
The Trauma Center’s Injury Prevention Program is dedicated to dramatically decreasing the number of preventable injuries through research and public education. Personnel work within the hospital and with local leaders to treat and prevent the most common and complex childhood injuries. In addition to car seat education classes, the Injury Prevention Program offers other programs to communities such as helmet distribution events, parent education sessions and home safety presentations. Learn more here, or contact the program at InjuryPreventionProgram@childrens.harvard.edu.
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